William on the global stage

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

The government have asked Prince William to attend the ceremony to mark the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He is mixing with world leaders such as Trump, Macron, Zelensky and Meloni, as well as Elon Musk and First Lady Dr Jill Biden. He will also be having a private meeting with Trump to discuss Anglo-American relations.

Is this a sign of things to come for William? Is this preparing him for his future role as King?

news.sky.com/story/prince-william-and-donald-trump-meet-at-notre-dame-cathedral-ceremony-13269085

Australian press... OK. I could link other articles but all a bit pointless as this thread is about William and not Biden.
Interesting read though.

I always use Sky News for my articles as I find them fairly neutral, respectful and accurate. But for whatever reason Sky News Australia are almost tabloid in their hatred for Harry & Meghan/Biden. I wonder why it’s so different depending on which country it’s in?

The title is, indeed, 'William on the international stage'. But to assess his performance, comparators are useful.

But you were happy enough to post earlier about Biden ...

I didn't bring him up. A few other posters did.

Three times...

Three times you posted about him.

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This is such a strange post. It basically reads William is getting to mix with world leaders and has a meeting with Trump. Look how important he is.
I am sure most of the public assume that various members of the Royal family already mix with world leaders. Trump has met various members of the Royal family last time he was President.
The reporting is that Trump behaved parentally towards William when they met. That itself is strange.

Are people in the UK happy with the royal family discussing US-UK relations with the president elect of the USA?

I presume it is all surface stuff for trade purposes (which is where the european royalty - especially the nordic ones - excel - bit of glamour and well briefed to help trade).

It isn't like William is discussing the proposed exit from Nato or US support of the Ukraine. At least if I were british, I'd hope it wasn't.

William and KC will both receive daily red boxes with briefing documents. Reading these will not count as official duties but will count as work. They will include key background information and the governments stance. I also expect they may also have in person briefings from Ministers or Senior Civil Servants, again not official duties but work.

William and KC should to be able to converse with Trump, and other WL, without making a gaff but subtly supporting the governments position and possibly extracting information.

I would also expect them to debrief to Ministers/Senior Civil Servants as they may gain insight into Trumps plans. Again not logged as official duties but work.

Trump’s ego is boosted by the presence of senior members of the RF, if they talk positively of KS or DL’s plans this is helpful to the UK.

Their roles are largely symbolic and ceremonial. They remain politically neutral. They do not extract information from political leaders !

They certainly won't just boo hoo to people about their sad life.

@Parker231 I am not saying they question them rather listen to what they say and report back.

For example I expect KC knows most world leaders views on climate change as he has been talking about it for decades.

I think the Red Boxes are for the monarch only (tradition)

But there will be briefing papers for other family members who are about to meet foreign leaders and senior officials. Extent and detail will vary depending on who is the interlocutor (so a one-to-one for the heir with the President-elect of the IS is likely to need more extensive briefing than say, the Duchess of Edinburgh meeting politicians and senior business figures at an Ambassadorial reception during a trip to somewhere like South Sudan)

And yes of course they need to be ready to talk about Ukraine or any other subject that is high profile in the news. Because they might be asked about it (in which case they need to echo the government line whilst, presumably changing the subject politely) or might be told something about it (and it would help if they recognised the significance).

Plus of course, if no note-takers (which there won’t be at dinners and receptions) then after the event they should be telling relevant staff member, accurately, the significant parts of any conversations )probably their private secretary, who will then pass it on to relevant government departments.

Still think it’s an easy role with nothing to it but small talk?

I've no idea what you mean 🤣

They also have constitutional role and it is in that capacity that William went to France. The Head of State in the UK is not purely ceremonial or symbolic.

Of course he "extracts" information from political leaders, if you define that as asking for details of who her is meeting and what the UK position on relevant subjects is. He needs information so that anything he says does not conflict with the message the Government is putting out. Any conversations he has will be reported back because they may cover politically important topics.

@EdithWeston I believe as PoW Charles started to get his own red boxes to prepare him for being King. I expect William to have the same.

I’m sure no political leader is going to be telling a member of the RF anything relevant to the politics of their country. They would save those conversations for the Secretary of State who can actually participate in the discussions.

You are underestimating the role of soft power in international politics.

I think you are overestimating the influence of the RF in politics.

Trump probably would though. He has a runaway mouth

Just been reading a post on reddit with someone who works with William and she says he never reads his briefing documents.

But the reporting is that Trump behaved in a paternal manner towards William. Really strange reporting. As if William was out of his depth and Trump was trying to be fatherly and supportive.

Sure